RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE REGRADING CENSORSHIP

GUIDELINES WITHIN THE LIBRARY

As Educators, we must present all viewpoints to the pupils that are being educated
within the classroom. It is an enormous undertaking to ensure that students
understand the purpose of the item being included in the book/resource and to also
infuse instruction on the First Amendment. This form is to ensure that all procedures
and guidelines are followed and upheld by all stakeholders involved throughout this
process.
1. INITIAL COMPLAINT FOR CENSORSHIP
Log of formal complaint citing the reasons and supporting documentation on why a
certain book/resource should be banned by the library. All required fields within the
form need to be filled out and verified for the complaint to be processed to the next
step.
2. MEDIA SPECIALIST MEETING WITH COMPLAINANT
Upon receipt of the complaint, the media specialist will meet with the person to
gather all the pertinent information pertaining to the complaint. At that time the
media specialist will review the selection process of books/materials within the
library. Additionally, explaining that the library needs to offer material with varying
viewpoints and a range of subject matter. However, if the complainant wants to
pursue the claim, all information will be compiled and submitted to the review
committee.
3. REVIEW COMMITTEE
Upon receipt of the required documentation, a review committee will be convened
comprising of stakeholders that range from administration, legal counsel, media
specialists and district personnel. This committee will determine if this books meets
the guidelines to be censored from the library. To make an informed choice, the
media specialist will compile a list of banned books and the reasons behind. This will
allow the committee to make an informed decision.
Review Committee Questions for Discussion
a. Which of the following reasons is this book being challenged?
Anti-Ethnic
Family Nudity

Cultural Sensitivity

Racism

Offensive Language
Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking

Other Offensive Language

Gambling Gangs

Violence Suicide

Sexism

Anti-

Abortion

Homosexuality

 Sex Education
Viewpoint

Sexually Explicit Political Viewpoint

Religious

Occult
b. What age appropriateness is this book/material considered to be utilized for?
c. Does the complainant have a valid concern regarding the book/material being
posed? Is the claim supported by documents/resources provided by the
complainant?
d. Is the material being utilized within the current instruction within the
classroom? Did this material get approved by the curriculum program
purchased or by the school board/directors prior to implementation?
e. Will this ban violate the Library Bill of Rights? ALA Library Bill of Rights
f. Does this uphold the role of the library to offer materials that have different
viewpoints and varying within subject matter?
g. Is there a way to keep the material within the library, while also ensuring
certain measures?
h. Does this material align with another currently banded book? Please explain.
4. RULING
Determination of ruling will be made public and available to all parties involved
within the proceedings. If the book is determined to meet the guidelines for
censorship, then the book will be removed from the library and not accessible to the
student population.

Works Cited
Library Bill of Rights. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014, from
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
Challenges by reason, initiator & institution for 1990-99 and 2000-09. (n.d.).
Retrieved December 1, 2014, from
http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/statistics
The First Amendment First Aid Kit. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014, from
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/firstamendment/strategies.html#librarian